Keep in mind that people read resumes about halfway down the page/screen before deciding if they are going to continue reading, save it for later or hit the delete button. Anything marketable about you should be in the top third of the resume.

The optimal length of the resume will depend on your experience. A person with a single year’s experience and a four-page resume is in trouble, as is a person with 10 years experience and a one-page resume. Be concise and try to fit your resume into three pages. Need to cut down? You don’t need an objective — it’s a waste of precious space, unless you are a career changer.

3. General Summaries Bad, Technical Summaries Good

General summaries can help if used sparingly and appropriately. Technical summaries are more helpful, because the first person reading your resume could be non-technical and only knowledgeable enough to look for keywords. However, there should not be a laundry list of every technology you have ever heard about.

4. Dates Matter

Be clear about your dates of employment. Most companies want to see months, not just years — especially if you have some jumps or if you are currently unemployed (i.e. they want to see how long you have been out). It’s better to be upfront than to make them guess.

5. Highlight Accomplishments, Not Just Job Functions

The descriptions of your positions should ideally be a mix of a broad overview and specific accomplishments. That way, recruiters will know what you did day-to-day, but also what effect your activities had on the overall company or department.

6. Quality Writing Still Matters

Long-winded paragraphs or bullets are mind numbing, but short choppy sentences can appear simplistic. The ideal resume should have a combination of short paragraphs and bullets — or even just bullets. If you opt for bullets, combine related activities into one bullet where appropriate to save room.

The most overused phrases on resumes are “responsible for” or “participated in.” It’s hard to know if you were just a bystander or a true contributor or even a leader on a project. It’s okay to use these terms once or twice, but it’s much better to use something like “managed,” “completed,” “administered,” “developed,” etc. If you are having trouble coming up with action verbs, Thesaurus.com should be your new best friend.

8. There Are No Rules About Education Placement

Education placement is variable. If you went to a particularly good school, have an advanced degree or have a very relevant degree to the types of roles you are pursuing, then it might be worth putting at the top, but it’s okay for education to be at the bottom, too.

The same applies for certifications — but if you have many, then it might consume too much space at the top. Assuming your resume has the experience to back up the certifications, your prospective employer will be intrigued enough to get to them at the end.

The ubiquitous “Interests” section isn’t really necessary; however, if there’s something you are particularly proud of and it’s short, then feel free to include it at the end of your resume. There is always the possibility that when you put “competitive running” on your resume that the person reading your resume is a marathoner and gives you an interview for that reason. However, you should exclude any activities that could be seen as overly political or offensive.

10. Be Prepared With A Versatile Resume Template

Sometimes it’s valuable to have more than one version of your resume. For example, if your background could be applicable to manager or individual contributor positions, you don’t want to scare someone off with a heavy manager resume for a contributor role or vice versa. However, you should not make yourself crazy writing a new resume for every position that comes up (an especially tempting habit if you are unemployed).

Even if you car broke down or the subway derailed, do everything you can to get to that job interview on time.

“If you have a legitimate excuse it’s still hard to bounce back,” says Pamela Skillings, co-founder of job coaching firm Skillful Communications. “People are suspicious because they hear the same excuses all the time.”

On the flip side, you don’t want to show up too early and risk appearing desperate, but you do want to be there at least five minutes early or at the very least on time.

2. Don’t Show Up Unprepared

It seems simple, but countless people go on job interviews knowing very little about the company they are interviewing with when all it would take is a simple Google search to find out. As a result, they end up asking obvious questions, which signal to the interviewer that they are too lazy to prepare.

“Don’t ask if the company is public or private, how long it’s been in business and where they do their manufacturing,” says Mark Jaffe, president of Wyatt & Jaffe, the executive search firm. “Sharpen your pencil before you go to school.”

“Your interest should be about the job and what your responsibilities will be,” says Terry Pile, Principal Consultant of Career Advisors. “Asking about vacation, sick leave, 401K, salary and benefits should be avoided at all costs.”

The job interview is not the time or place to ask about advancement opportunities or how to become the CEO. You need to be interested in the job you are actually interviewing for. Sure, a company wants to see that you are ambitious, but they also want assurances you are committed to the job you’re being hired for.

“You can’t come with an agenda that this job is just a stepping stone to bigger and better things,” says Jaffe.

To put it bluntly, interviewers are not idiots. So when they ask you about a weakness and you say you work too hard or you are too much of a perfectionist, chances are they are more apt to roll their eyes than be blown away. Instead, be honest and come up with a weakness that can be improved on and won’t ruin your chances of getting a job.

For instance, if you are interviewing for a project management position, it wouldn’t be wise to say you have poor organizational skills, but it’s ok to say you want to learn more shortcuts in Excel. “Talk about the skills you don’t have that will add value, but aren’t required for the job,” says Pile.

Many people think its ok to exaggerate their experience or fib about a firing on a job interview, but lying can be a surefire way not to get hired. Even if you get through the interview process with your half truths, chances are you won’t be equipped to handle the job you were hired to do. Not to mention the more you lie the more likely you are to slip up.

“Don’t exaggerate, don’t make things bigger than they are and don’t claim credit for accomplishments you didn’t do,” says Jaffe. “You leave so much room in your brain if you don’t have to fill it with which lie you told which person.”

7. Don’t Ask If There’s Any Reason You Shouldn’t Be Hired

Well meaning career experts will tell you to close your interview by asking if there is any reason you wouldn’t be hired. While that question can give you an idea of where you stand and afford you the opportunity to address any concerns, there’s no guarantee the interviewer is going to be truthful with you or has even processed your information enough to even think about that.

If you’ve spent any amount of time reading literature on the subject of personal finance, you have heard of “living below your means.” Sure, you can always increase your income in theory, but the first thing most people should do to increase their bottom line is look at their expenses.

Here are six effective ways to cut anyone’s expenses. If you aren’t doing the tips mentioned here already, I highly suggest giving them a try.

1. Buy Only What You Need

It sounds obvious, but how many of us buy what is truly necessary? We often buy in bulkin an attempt to reduce our costs and end up wasting what we don’t use. We buy a house that has unused rooms, a more expensive TV with features we don’t care about, or a high-priced cell phone plan because we never want to go over our plan minutes.

2. Wait to Buy

Tricks such as the 30-day rule, where you wait 30 days to let your emotions settle down before you make a purchasing decision, are popular because they work. For those suffering from frequent impulse purchases, give this one a try. Don’t worry, sales always come back and even if they don’t, saving the money means you will have more to spend next time around.

3. Use Coupons

Clipping coupons or searching for online coupons works, and for more reasons than just getting a discount. Trying to find a coupon takes effort, and it gives you ample time to think about what you actually need to buy, acting as a cooling-off period helping with the problem of impulse buying.

When I was a kid, I frequently stopped myself from buying something because I simply had no money. With a credit card in almost everyone’s wallet these days, when was the last time you had to refrain yourself because you didn’t bring enough money with you? The topic of reward points always comes up whenever we talk about the benefits of using cash, but unless you have extreme discipline, spending less usually far outweighs the benefits of a possible 1% back.

5. Pay Yourself First

When everything is in your checking account, it’s easy to feel plush with money and in turn spend just a little more. Paying yourself first — immediately putting some money into savings when you get paid — can help you spend less than you actually have. It’s a wonderful trick, and I urge you to try it and see for yourself.

6. Refresh Your Memories About Your Purchases

Record what you buy and go through all your purchases periodically. Where did the product that you bought go? Was it really useful? Could you have spent less on it? By thinking about each purchase after the emotions of owning the item fades away, it will help train your brain to reduce any unnecessary spending.

Is it interesting ? Do you want to add some thing more about how to mange your finances ?

At the end of every job interview, you’ll encounter the inevitable question, “Do you have any questions for me?”

While it’s an oh-so-predictable event, many job candidatesaren’t prepared to shine when they reach this final test in the interview. Failing to ask any questions or asking the wrong questions can send the wrong signals.

Stephanie Daniel, senior vice president of career management company Keystone Associates, spoke with us about her thoughts on how job interviewees can take control of their next job interview by asking the right questions. Read on for her thoughts on what to ask and which questions to avoid when it’s your turn to interrogate.

Asking Right Questions

When the interviewer gives you the opportunity to ask your own questions, be prepared. Daniel recommends that interviewees prepare five to seven questions, with the expectation that there will probably only be time to ask just three. “Keep in mind that some of the questions you might have prepared will be answered during the course of the interview, so it’s always a smart idea to have back-ups,” says Daniel.

“Too many job seekers respond to this standard interview question with the standard ‘safe’ responses,” says Daniel. “‘Will I be hearing from you or should I contact you?’ or ‘Why is this position open?’ In this very competitive job market, job candidates cannot afford to ask safe questions. Candidates must show that they are the best candidate by demonstrating that they are looking out for the needs and interests of the interviewer.”

So, what types of questions should you ask? Daniel suggests considering a few of the following:

Is there a work issue that keeps you up at night and, given what you know about my background, how do you think I could help?

“Here’s your opportunity to demonstrate a genuine interest in the day-to-day challenges your future manager is facing, Daniel explains. “By asking this question, the interviewer will start to envision you as an employee and will give you some initial thoughts on how you might help solve their most pressing problems.”

What is the most gratifying aspect of the work you do for XYZ company? What’s your best advice to someone starting out at this company?

“Asking the interviewer about the most gratifying aspect of the work she or he does helps you better understand what drives them,” Daniel explains. “Drivers include things like making the best product on the market, helping others, making money, curing an illness or creating a hot, new technology, etc. Ask yourself how the interviewer’s drivers align with your own. The answer to the ‘best advice’ question yields valuable insights on what behaviors lead to a successful transition into the company. It gives you clues on what you can do to put your best forward in your potential new role vis-à-vis building new relationships, gaining product knowledge, and avoiding potential pitfalls.”

Could you describe your ideal candidate for this job? Why are these qualities important to you?

“The ideal qualifications were probably outlined in the job posting,” says Daniel. “But many of these postings are not actually written by the hiring manager. Here’s your chance to directly ask the interviewer what he views as the most important qualities of the successful candidate and why.”

I’m sure you have a number of goals you’d like to achieve in the coming year. Do you have a particular one that is top priority?

“This question allows you to turn your attention to the interviewer and his most important priorities,” says Daniel. “Is there a particular goal the interviewer has talked about that lines up well with some of your current experiences? If so, let the interviewer know how you can contribute.”

Other great questions may revolve around key drivers for employees, what characterizes top performers at the company and whether the interviewer would like to know anything more about the interviewee’s background, says Daniel.

To avoid making a bad impression at your interview, Daniel suggests thinking about the connotations behind each of the questions that you’re asking before you ask them. Here are three questions that tend to leave a bad taste in interviewers’ mouths, she says:

“A valid question, yes, but if you ask it too soon, it might appear that you are more concerned about the work schedule than you are about the actual work,” says Daniel.

Is there a possibility I could work remotely?

“Telecommuting can be a positive thing for both the job seeker and the company, but your timing in asking this question is critical,” Daniel explains. “If asked too soon, it will convey a lack of enthusiasm for getting to know the team and work environment. Demonstrate your interest in the role and potential contributions to the company before inquiring about telecommuting/flex-time, etc.”

How long do people typically stay in this position before they move on the next role?

“A desire to grow in the organization is admirable,” says Daniel. “But if you’re asking this question early on in the interview process, the interviewer may question your genuine interest in the position you’ve applied for. Frame the question in a way that demonstrates both your long-term commitment to the company and your professional growth.”

Preparing and Managing Time

Once you’ve chosen which questions you’d like to ask, you can either memorize them or write them down. Daniel advises:

“It is not unprofessional to bring a list of questions on paper. If you choose to write them down, make sure you bring them in a presentable notebook or folder, not on a crinkled, loose-leaf sheet of paper. Presentation is very important. That said, make a conscious effort to remember the questions so that you don’t have to rely on your notes. Opening a notebook can be somewhat distracting, and what’s even worse is reading the questions verbatim without making eye contact with the interviewer.”

Once you’ve finished asking all that you’d like to ask, it’s important to close an interview on a good notes, says Daniel. “Rather than fretting about running out of questions, take the left-over time to thank your interviewer and let him or her know how much you’re interested in the position. Cite specifics about why and briefly reiterate a key point about your background that relates to the position. This is called the ‘close,’ and it’s a critical phase of the interview.”

To get what you want, you first need to have a clear picture of your desire. Take time to think about what you want in life and what would it feel like to have it. If you merely want a paycheck, for example, you can get one in a job you hate or one you love. Which would you prefer? List your criteria for living well, for having that desire.

When you have a vision of where you want to be, set goals to help you move toward that vision. If, for instance, you want financial independence at a certain age, set incremental goals each year to get you there. The picture or vision will enable you to reach those incremental goals much easier, as the vision pulls you forward.

Set up a crossroads debrief meeting with yourself (or a partner) to review and make a list of what you have done since your last debrief or the past year. If this sounds overwhelming, here is a suggestion: Just as you write status reports to your managers, you can write one to yourself. This personal status report listing your accomplishments each month can be a useful tool for keeping track of your actions while moving you towards your goals and maintaining your motivation. Can you imagine what a jaw-dropping, eye-popping, good feeling experience it will be to review those accomplishments at year end?

Questions to consider:

What happened since my last crossroads debrief?

What goals have I reached?

Where am I on the goals not yet completed?

What were my most proud achievements? What did I do to reach them?

What challenges/difficult situations occurred? How did I handle them?

What did I do well? What would I like to do better?

Where do I want to go from here?

Step Two: Feel and act as if it already is here!

Today’s world is a difficult place-recession, workforce reductions, more work and less time, etc. All these circumstances can lead to difficult options. Let’s remember we always have a choice even when faced with alternatives we don’t care for. We can choose to be a victim (why me?) or we can choose to look for opportunities and move on! Step 2 is about taking responsibility for our attitude, emotions, and choices.

Below the Line is where we take on the role of victim. We play the Blame Game-why me? Why did they (whoever “they” are) do this to me? We stay stuck in anger, frustration, wishing for what was. We take a wait and see attitude, confused about what to do next, or in denial until our deepest fears happen. How does staying in this ‘victim mentality‘ serve you? Would you not rather be Above the Line, taking accountability for your feelings, reactions, and choices?

This is a four-step process:

1) See it – recognize and acknowledge the current situation and your feelings about it.

3) Solve it – finding and implementing solutions; perhaps as simple as updating your resume; thinking about what value you bring to the marketplace based on its needs, etc.

4) Do it – implement your plan, one small step at a time.

Step three: Be open to receiving it!

Now that you have put things in motion and feeling hopeful and motivated, it is important to be open to receiving the opportunities you want. Sound ridiculous? “Of course, I will,” you say! Sometimes we want something and deep down we do not believe we will find it. You could be thinking, “The economy is bad so there is no way I could get the job I want!” Or, “I will never find the relationship I want”, or… This way of thinking is NOT being open to receive!

Keep in mind possibilities are endless. Be open and know the opportunities best fitted for you are on the way. Otherwise, you may never see them coming!